Whitestone Takes Out Cheese Packaging Award
2 March 2012
Whitestone Takes Out Cheese Packaging Award
Whitestone Cheese has scooped the top award for packaging for the second year running at the 2012 Cuisine NZ Champions of Cheese Awards.
Whitestone Cheese has recently launched a new range of packaging across its entire range. The new packaging, which hit shelves five months ago, features a clear top sheet with each cheese clearly identifiable with the source of origin and cheese name noted in an attractive modern design. It also represents innovation in its pack design which hasn’t been seen in a New Zealand cheese pack before.
Judges were looking for innovation, creativity, strong design and great execution in cheese packaging.
Whitestone Cheese general manager, Simon Berry, is delighted with the win and the feedback he’s been getting from consumers and retailers alike.
“Our new packaging greatly enhances the overall presentation of our cheese,” says Berry. “It enables the consumer to clearly see what they’re buying, and ensures that when they get it home, it arrives in the same condition.”
Whitestone’s new packaging has also opened up a number of export opportunities for the company. “It has more than doubled the shelf life of Whitestone Cheese products, making it far more attractive and accessible for export,” adds Berry.
In addition to the packaging trophy, Whitestone’s Vintage Blue was a winner for the second year in a row, picking up the Ecolab Champion Blue Cheese Award.
Whitestone Cheese founder and Simon’s father, Bob Berry, was also celebrated and presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his outstanding contribution to the New Zealand specialty cheese industry. This is the second time this award has been granted by the New Zealand Specialist Cheesemakers Association.
Judges awarded a gold medal to Puhoi Valley for its Classic Cheeseboard with a trio of different cheeses (Distinction Blue, Old Barn Brie and Est’d 1863 Aged Cheddar). Judges loved the overall presentation and boxed display which features a helpful description of each cheese on the side of the box.
Barrys Bay was also acknowledged by judges for the packaging of its Taste 4 selection, containing four different cheeses which encourage consumers to try several cheeses in one affordable and convenient pack.
The 2012 Cuisine Champions of Cheese Awards celebrated 430 cheese entries from 36 different companies throughout New Zealand. Entries were judged across 19 different categories and judges awarded gold, silver and bronze medals before naming a champion for each category.
All Packaging Award Winners Include:
Caspak Champion Cheese Packaging
Award
• Whitestone Range – Whitestone Cheese
Gold
medal winners:
• Whitestone Range – Whitestone
Cheese
• Classic Cheeseboard – Puhoi Valley
Silver
medal winners:
• Entertainer’s Cheeseboard –
Puhoi Valley
• Farm Fresh Goat’s Cheese with roasted
garlic & dill – Puhoi Valley
Bronze media
winners:
• Taste 4 – Barrys Bay Cheese
• Farm
Fresh Goat’s Cheese – Puhoi Valley
Yealands Estate Champion of
Champions Award
Meyer Vintage Gouda – Meyer Gouda
Cheese
Cuisine Champion Artisan
Cheese
Very Old Edam - Mahoe Farmhouse
Cheese
NZ Cheese School Champion
Cheesemaker
Jacob Rosevear - Mahoe Farmhouse
Cheese
2012 Cuisine NZ Champions of Cheese Awards Category Winners:
The Langham
Champion Fresh Unripened Cheese Award
Buffalo
Mozzarella – Clevedon Valley Buffalo
Company
Countdown Champion Feta Cheese
Award
Brinza – Gibbston Valley
Cheese
Innovative Packaging Champion Soft White
Rind Cheese Award
Overbrook Brie – Talbot Forest
Cheese
Elldex Packaging Champion Goat Cheese
Award
Cilantro Chèvre – Cilantro
Cheese
Monteith's Champion Sheep Cheese
Award
Cumerino – Over the Moon Dairy
Company
Thermaflo Champion Washed Rind Cheese
Award
Galactic Gold – Over the Moon Dairy
Company
GEON Champion Cheddar Cheese
Award
Fonterra Edendale Cheddar – Fonterra Edendale
(aged 26- 36 months)
QCONZ Champion European
Style Cheese Award
Parmesan – Talbot Forest
Cheese
NZ Labs/Bureau Veritas Champion Dutch
Style Cheese Award
Leyden Vintage – Karikaas
Natural Dairy Products
Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry Champion New Cheese Award
Buffalo Hard
Cheese – Clevedon Valley Buffalo Company
Fonterra
Champion Original Cheese Award
Darfield – Gruff
Junction
AsureQuality Champion Flavoured Cheese
Award
Garlic & Chive Gouda – Meyer Gouda
Cheese
Ecolab Champion Blue Cheese
Award
Vintage Blue – Whitestone
Cheese
Goodman Fielder Champion Export Cheese
Award
Kapiti Kahurangi – Fonterra Brands
NZ
New World Champion Favourite Cheese
Award
Kapiti Kikorangi – Fonterra Brands
NZ
Caspak Champion Cheese Packaging
Award
Whitestone Range – Whitestone
Cheese
Curds & Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheese
Award
Pohangina Blue by Adrian Walcroft
Curds
& Whey Champion Home Crafted Cheesemaker
Award
Adrian Walcroft of
Ashhurst
ENDS